'He has gone and smashed it' - Delap wants to emulate Palmer at Chelsea

BBC News

3 hours ago

Liam Delap was one of this summer's most-wanted strikers.But it was Chelsea who won the race for his signature and, speaking before the Blues' final Club World Cup group game against ES Tunis, Delap revealed why - including the pull of Europe and reuniting with some familiar faces."You never know if it is going to be the right decision but you've just got to go with your gut and hope it works out," he said. "You've got to take your time. I took a few days to speak to people and decide my future."Chelsea's star attacker Cole Palmer was one of the people he consulted, after first playing together at Manchester City when he was just 15 years old."I asked him what I needed to ask him," Delap added. "He told me what I needed to know, but I don't like too much information. Ultimately it was my decision, so I kind of just wanted my head to be clear."Palmer has become the poster boy for Chelsea after two sensational seasons and Delap was asked if he hopes to emulate his former academy team-mate."Yeah, of course, that's the goal," he said. "I think we both had similar positions and he has gone and smashed it, so hopefully I can also."Reports in May suggested Manchester United were frontrunners to sign Delap at first, but their Europa League final defeat and a poor league campaign left them without European football for next season - and Chelsea's Champions League qualification did play a part in his decision."It wasn't the be all and end all, because I was also looking towards future seasons, but it helps," Delap revealed.Speaking about his new manager Enzo Maresca, who he played under during his time in Manchester City's academy, Delap said: "I've got a good relationship with him. I know how he plays. I've played in this system before. It's very similar now but with little tweaks."I know a lot of the players here. The project of the club, and how they see the future, that's what excited me."